The Debuchelon Travel List
Cafes, clothes shops, culture . . . and loafing. This is the way humanity used to build, before the 20th century conspired to ruin everything. These gems, each one of them a historical masterpiece, are now for the most part surrounded by the crap that socialism and then capitalism has inflicted on our world. You can probably hear those two-dimensional thinkers asking their question in the background. “If neither socialism nor capitalism works, then what exactly are you proposing Mr. Debuchelon?” The solution is part technical, part political and part spiritual, and for sure it isn’t simple. Left to its own devices, human society naturally tends to find a cure for its illnesses. The problem, to a large degree, is that several powerful forces are running interference campaigns to ensure that the cure isn’t applied. Some people are doing very well out of the status quo. Stay in touch with the letters page where I’m building a picture of what the solution could look like. In the meantime, join me on my travels and enjoy the way the world used to be . . .
Italy Verona Incredible Roman amphitheatre with regular operas on an epic scale. Michelin restaurants, ice cream, wonderful historic commercial centre. Loaf rating 9/10 Iseo Hotel Relais Due Roccoli is a gem. Beautiful mansion with incredible views over lake Iseo from the restaurant. Not keen on cake for breakfast but they're Italian so just leave them to it. Lecce Roman, Gothic, Baroque and every style of architecture from there onwards (but very little in the crapitalist style thank God). Undisturbed Italian culture, not far from the Trulli houses of Puglia, the beaches, the mountains ... and believe it or not this region of Italy used to be thought of as a dump! France Dijon The Dukes of Burgundy, croissant, mustard, snails, and all that. Cycle from here to Switzerland if you have the time and energy. Beautiful central square (well it's round not square actually) and very suitable for a Debuchelon concert. The French seem to think I'm French by the way. It's the name apparently. Fourcalquier Ah Provence! Dilapidated old villages but they look even more beautiful because of it. Green bean salads, figs, peaches, Eleanor of Provence (not of Acquitaine, that was someone different) and more croissants. Beloved by the Bloomsbury Group (thank you Angelica for sharing your home with me) and artists of every variety. Hidden away near Manosque, which used to be seen as so remote that they sent the prisoners there, this idyllic hilltop village is everything that fans of A Year in Provence would want. When the French authorities realised how clean the air is in this region, they set up an astronomical observatory. And when they realised how clean and cool the water is ... they built a nuclear power centre. Idiots. Menton & Eze There is no place quite like the south of France. In a way it's a zoo. You either go there to see, or to be seen. But the light, the colour, the scent, the food, the scenery, the yachts ... just make sure to arrange the finance before you go there. Eze is a mediaeval car-free village on top of a mountain with incredible views over the harbour below. Menton glows on account of the golden coloured stone in which much of it is built. Both are swamped by tourists unfortunately, and without wanting to labour the point, that is because humanity keeps having children but can't build places like this any more. Belgium Brugges Cycle this place to see one of the most beautiful townscapes that Europe has ever produced, and all of it amidst a maze of canals. The ratio of chocolate shops to inhabitants must be one of the highest in the world, with the waffle shops not far behind. Nutritious food is available at a price! Austria Vienna Mozart, coffee shops, extravagant renaissance buildings of the former Hapsburg empire, tree lined boulevards, trams, and efficient Austrians going quietly about their business. The only downside is the bland Austrian food, but see Salzburg below for some welcome relief. Loaf rating 9/10. Salzburg The hilltop castle, the river, the beautiful historical centre. All this is now joined by Aganigi Naganigi which is of course the best kebab shop in Salzburg, and possibly in all of Austria. After stuffing your face with a large doner you can find a quiet green slope somewhere to run around singing the "hills are alive with the sound of music". On second thoughts, do that before eating your kebab. Turkey Istanbul The Bosphurus is where Asia meets Europe, and Istanbul sits astride it. From pre-Roman history through to the modern day there is so much to see and do here that it's hard to know where to start. Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque are a must, then there's the underground Roman Basilica Cistern and the sixth century Church of Hagia Sophia (now also a mosque). The Grand Bazaar is an incredible shopping experience. In this labyrinthine indoor market you will find genuinely unique objects for sale (and not just rugs) with barely an international logo on show. Go to the House of Meatballs for wonderful fish dishes (only kidding, they serve meatballs actually) and take a boat from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea for wonderful views of the city on either side. Germany Munich Fortunately, sanity prevailed when they were deciding how to rebuild the centre of Munich after WW2. The modernists lost and we got the beautiful traditional central district that stands today. Teutonic architecture is so bold yet timeless, the dumplings are delicious, and everyone drives a Mercedes. Go south for Tutzing on Lake Starnberg and then further south for the Alps. And then come back for more dumplings.